Politics & Government

Commission, Planning Board Discuss Bistro Ordinance, Upcoming Projects

Two boards discuss priorities for 2011-12 at their joint meeting, held at the Department of Public Services.

The Birmingham City Commission and Planning Board met Monday night at the for a rare joint meeting, during which representatives discussed improving and further regulating the city’s bistro ordinance.

From concern for the city’s retail community to discussion over changing the approval process, the consensus among city commissioners and Planning Board members was simple: Something has to change.

The city defines a bistro as a restaurant with a full-service kitchen, seating for no more than 65 inside and additional space for outdoor dining. According to the bistro ordinance — adopted in 2007 — the city approves only two bistro licenses a year.

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After nearly two hours of discussion, with input from several community members and restaurant owners, Mayor Gordon Rinschler summed up the discussion with several action points:

  • The city needs to take a closer look at the approval process, particularly the process of first-come, first-serve.
  • The city should institute a larger study on the city’s economic market in response to the questions as to whether there are too many bistros and where they should be located. This study should include all businesses with a Class C liquor license (which allows them to sell alcohol).

City prioritizes planning projects

City representatives also hashed out a plan to prioritize projects for the upcoming year.

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From a packet provided by the Planning Department, commissioners and Planning Board members listed their top projects, giving directions to city staff as they decide how to spend the $25,000 allocated to planning in the 2011-12 budget.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Nickita stressed that the city should consider several factors when picking the top projects, including general beautification, timeliness, potential for economic generation and whether grant money is or could be available to help offset the costs.

Of the more than two dozen projects listed, these were the top projects:

  • Improve the street crossings across Woodward Avenue, particularly at and south of Maple Road.
  • Improve South Old Woodward, particularly the three blocks south of Maple. Potential plans include installing a median similar to the one along North Old Woodward.
  • Worth Street realignment project in the Rail District.
  • Bates Street improvements.

Stay tuned to Patch for a detailed report on the bistro ordinance discussion and prioritization of Planning Department projects for 2011-12.


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